In ancient times caravans of merchants and traders moving from a production centre to far away markets were called Sarthvah. But trade and business were not the sole purpose of these caravans. Sarthvah also served the all-important purpose of carrying along with it cultural representatives, musicians, singers, artistes, performers, scholars, researchers and religious preachers. Sarthvah was the means of economic, cultural and religious exchange between regions, people and experts.